Jason Vargas has yet to catch since undergoing right hand surgery

Mar 1, 2018; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at First Data Field.(Photo: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

MIAMI — Injured Mets starter Jason Vargas (broken right hand) has yet to attempt to catch since his palm has still not fully sealed after having stitches removed.

“From what I’ve been told the palm just takes a while to really seal up and just the impact of where it is. When the stitches came out from not being completely 100 percent sealed up. ...It's gonna be closed but not completely," Vargas said Monday afternoon. "Taking a little bit more time to completely seal up than anticipated."

Vargas will have to catch before he returns, and the lefty is scheduled to pitch in another simulated game Thursday. Vargas pitched six innings spanning roughly 85 pitches last Saturday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. while pitching behind a screen.

"Pretty normal game conditions just with a screen out," Vargas said. "Didn’t have to cut anything short because of mishaps or anything like that.”

The lefty broke the hambate bone in his right hand after taking a liner off his hand during spring training. The team does not have a target date yet for a return, but he is expected to pitch in a rehab game before the Mets activate him from the disabled list.

Vargas has also yet to swing.

The Mets have not used a fifth starter yet, and will turn to Zack Wheeler when they need a fifth starter for the first time this Wednesday against Miami. It appears likely that Wheeler will make at least two starts before Vargas returns since the earliest Vargas could return is April 22 provided he makes one rehab start on normal rest.

Ready to go

Yoenis Cespedes said after Sunday's 6-5 win over the Nationals in 12 innings that he has been dealing with fever and flu symptoms. Despite a quick turnaround for Monday's game against Miami, the slugger was in the lineup and batting second.

Cespedes went 0-for-4 in the 4-2 win and is now in a 1-for-17 skid although that one hit was the game-wining RBI single in Sunday's win.

Matchups

Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman combined for five innings of one-run ball in relief in Sunday's win, and have become trusted members of the unit.

Neither pitched Monday.

"The way they’re pitching right now they match up with about anybody in the lineup. Lefties, righties," Callaway said before the series opener. "It’s going to come down to who’s the freshest, who can give us more innings that day. Things like that.”

Briefs

Righty starter Jacob deGrom will look to win his third straight start when he faces the Marlins on Tuesday night. ...Callaway had boxes of M&M's and Sour Patch Kids waiting for him in his office though he did not request the candy. ...Mike Barwis, the senior advisor for strength and conditioning, joined the team Monday. ...Asdrubal Cabrera (1-for-4) has an eight-game hitting streak. ..Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, and Jerry Blevins have yet to allow a run in 14 innings after combining for two scoreless innings Monday.